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2010 Bmw X5 Electrical Problems

18 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

18
Complaints
2
Fires
Mar 2015Dec 2018
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (18)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2025

Your 2010 X5 was in perfect working condition before a recall service at the dealership. After the recall work, multiple warning lights appeared, the engine developed a loud high-pitched noise, and the dealership said the car is unsafe to drive. The dealership claims opening a valve during the recall disturbed engine sludge and is now refusing to fix the problem without charging you out of pocket. The repair will likely involve cleaning or replacing engine components affected by the sludge disturbance.

NHTSA #: 11690652
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2025

Your vehicle wouldn't start when your nephew tried to turn the key, and you noticed an unusual smell coming from the engine bay with the check engine light on. You replaced the battery, but the car still wouldn't start. A mechanic diagnosed that both the starter motor and fuel pump had failed and need replacement. The repair will involve removing and replacing both the starter and fuel pump components.

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NHTSA #: 11649292
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2023

Your car won't start even after you replaced the water pump, thermostat, and fuel pump over the past month. A diagnostic revealed an engine leak and a serious electrical problem with the FRM (fuel pump relay module). You believe these issues should have been identified before you purchased the car.

NHTSA #: 11531143
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION,STRUCTURE
Filed: Nov 2022

Your sunroof drains are overflowing, causing water to run down the pillars and into your front and rear electronic control boxes. This water damage can cost thousands of dollars to repair. The problem appears to be more noticeable in areas with heavy rainfall. The fix will likely involve clearing or replacing the sunroof drain system and inspecting the electronic boxes for water damage.

NHTSA #: 11495482
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2023

Your car's electric fuel system is turning on unexpectedly. This could cause starting issues or fuel pump problems. A technician will need to diagnose the fuel pump relay and electrical connections to determine what's causing the unintended activation.

NHTSA #: 11529761
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Nov 2021

Headlight wiring loom insulation on both passenger and driver sides degrading heavily to the point of disintegration on touch. My driver side headlights have stopped working despite best attempts at isolating wires. I have received multiple headlight(low/DRL) warnings and errors because of this issue. It has been verified by countless independent mechanics and hobbyists on this generation of car with no aftermarket or OE solutions. I have since almost collided with objects in the road while driving at night due to this faulty manufacturing. I also fear for an electrical fire which is bound to happen due to exposed wiring. This has been happening for a few months with no improvement and further degradation. I have not had it inspected by BMW.

NHTSA #: 11441212
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2020

MY VALVE COVER AND CRANKCASE ARE MANUFACTURED BAD THE CRANKCASE IT'S CRACKED AND LICKING, WHICH IT DAMAGE MY VALVE COVERS, MY CAR WAS DRIVING GOOD ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT DOESN'T DRIVE SMOOTH

NHTSA #: 11352751
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FireFiled: Dec 2019

I DROVE MY BMW X5 TO WORK WAS THERE FROM 1045 AM TO AROUND 730PM DROVE TO THE STORE ABOUT A MILE AWAY THEN DROVE TO THE GAS STATION PUT GAS IN, THEN DRIVE TO A NEAR BY OUTSIDE MALL. WENT IN FOR ABOUT 15 MINS CAME OUT MY WINDOWS WERE COMPLETELY "FOGGED" OPEN THE DOOR AND SMOKE CAME ROLLING OUT. OPEN ALL THE DOORS TO LOCATE THE FIRE OPEN THE BACK AND FLAMES CAME SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE BACK PANEL. I OPEN IT AND TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH SOME NEAR BY CLOTHES. A BYSTANDER RAN INTO THE STORE TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. TOOK PICTURES AND SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY THAT STARTED ON FIRE.

NHTSA #: 11286658
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2018

ENGINE ELECTRIC RECALL FOR ELECTRIC WATER PUMP. CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO SERVICE AT TULLEY BMW IN NASHUA FOR ISSUE WITH WATER PUMP. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID " ONLY NEED TO REPLACE A FEW BOLTS " I FEEL THE CAR HAS ONLY 46,000 AND IS OVERHEATING TO EXCESS SHOWING TEMPERATURE GAGE. HAD VEHICAL TOWED OVER 100 MILES TO LOCAL SERVICE STATION - FAILED ELECTRIC WATER PUMP - " RECALL ISSUE " DEALER FAILED TO SERVICE. ENGINE IS OVERHEATING - DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $ 1,500.00 TO REPAIR

NHTSA #: 11163314
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2017

MY CAR SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND WHEN I WENT TO USE IT, I DISCOVERED THAT THE INTERIOR RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL WAS MELTED AND THE INTERIOR WAS COVERED IN SOOT. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND IT WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR EVALUATION. IT WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA #: 10986317
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jun 2016

I'M REPORTING A QUALITY ESCAPED ISSUE ON MOST OF BMW CARS EQUIPPED WITH REAR VIEW CAMERA SYSTEM. I'M MILD TO HOT DAYS, THE CAMERA STARTS TO FLICKER RAPIDLY AND SHORTLY IT BLANKS OFF INTERMITTENTLY. IT'S MORE NOTICEABLE ON HOT DAYS BUT NORMAL DURING COLD DAYS. THIS ISSUE IS ALSO ON MOST OF BMW CARS AND YET TO BE RECOGNIZED NOR RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. IT'S UNFAIR FOR A CONSUMER TO PAY SO MUCH MONEY AND CAN'T CAN'T BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FIX THIS DISCREPANCY. I BELIEVE THE COST OF THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED BY A BMW DEALER. I FELL LIKE I'VE BEEN ROBBED OUT OF MY WALLET PAYING SO MUCH FOR ALL THESE ISSUES POPPING UP FROM TIME TO TIME ON SCAR THAT WAS NOT EVEN 75K MILES. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT COULD LEAD TO CRASH DURING REVERSE DRIVING OR DURING PARALLEL PARKING

NHTSA #: 10874468
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2015

OK, SO I OWN MY 2010 BMW X5 35D AND PRETTY MUCH SINCE THE OWNERSHIP I FOUND THAT BACK UP CAMERA I HAVE IS WORKING PRETTY STRANGE: WITH WORM WEATHER OUTSIDE IT SHOWS FUZZY, STATIC, JUMPING PICTURE. THE WARMER IS OUTSIDE THE MORE FUZZIER IT IS. SO, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT CABLE COMING FROM CAMERA TO HEAD UNIT IS GETTING BAD FROM RUBBING FROM CHASSIS! I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND TONS OF COMPLAINS LIKE THAT - IN 2-3 YEARS OLD CAR AND UP ALL OVER THE PLACE - BAD CABLE. IT TURNED OUT THAT LOCATION FOR IT IS VERY BAD AND IT ALWAYS RUB ON PART OF CHASSIS. DEFINITELY BAD DESIGN ISSUE. FURTHER MORE, TO FIX IT I WAS QUOTED $1200, NO MORE NO LESS, SOMETHING THAT IS BADLY DESIGNED SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE! THIS IS DEFINITELY SAFETY CONCERN AS MAIN IDEA FOR THAT CAMERA - SAFETY, BUT HAVING IT FAULTY AFTER FEW YEARS DOESN'T FOLLOW IT MAIN GOAL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND RECALL FOR THE CABLE SHOULD BE GOOD SOLUTION.

NHTSA #: 10746486
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Mar 2015

AFTER CHANGING THE BATTERY, THE VEHICLE HAS NO OPERATING DASH LIGHTS, GAUGE INDICATIONS, TURN SIGNALS, OR BRIGHT LIGHTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTINUOUSLY SWIPES, BUT HAS NO ABILITY TO SPRAY WASHER FLUID OR CHANGE THE SPEED OF THE SWIPE. THESE CONDITIONS RENDER IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, AND PREVENTS THE OPERATOR FROM MONITORING THE VEHICLE, IDENTIFYING ONES SPEED, OR SIGNALING A TURN. MOREOVER, THE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTION IMPAIRS ONE'S ABILITY TO SEE AND IS ALSO DISTRACTING; MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10691693
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA #: 10616827
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Aug 2013

MY BMW 2010 X5 DIESEL CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AREA AFTER ONLY A FEW MINUTES AFTER DRIVING CAR. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE CARGO AREA AS A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE QUARTER WAS BURNED UP THOUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE CARGO AREA. THE INITIAL INDICATOR OF THE PROBLEM INCLUDED SMOKE COMING THROUGH VENTS. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PUT IT IN PARK WHILE IT WAS ON FIRE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE CARGO AREA. THE CAR WAS VERY GOOD SHAPE OTHERWISE WITH NO PROBLEMS AND THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10537589
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2012

AFTER ENGINE START, MESSAGE DISPLAYS ON CONTROL DISPLAY INDICATING INCREASED BATTERY DRAIN AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SERVICED SOON. DISPLAY SHOWS VEHICLE ON WHAT APPEARS TO BE A LIFT. CONTACTED BMW AT ST. ALBANS WHO RECOMMENDED THAT I PURCHASE A BATTERY CHARGER SO THAT I MAY CHARGE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT! PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SPECIFIC CAUSAL FACTOR (LEAVING THE IGNITION ON AFTER ENGINE STOP, LEAVING DOORS OPEN, ETC.) *TR

NHTSA #: 10478912
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2011

VEHICLE REPORTS HIGH BATTERY DRAIN MESSAGE AND SOS MALFUNCTION ERROR MESSAGES. BMW NOT ABLE TO CORRECT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10428921
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Dec 2010

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES WITH ADULT PASSENGER FIRMLY BELTED INTO PASSENGER SEAT. LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED FOR PERIODS WHICH VARY FROM 5 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF THIS IS A DEFECTIVE LIGHT ONLY OR IF THE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. AN ADDITIONAL SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT BMW DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES ARE NOT ABLE TO DETECT THIS FAILURE. BMW REFUSES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT.

NHTSA #: 10370053

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